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Card reviewAmerican Express
Updated Jul 4, 2026 · research
American Express® Gold Card
American ExpressMembership RewardsEditorially reviewed

American Express® Gold Card

Earn Membership Rewards® points on restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, prepaid hotels, flights, prepaid car rentals, cruises, and other eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card.

PremiumPersonal
American Express
$325
Annual fee
5x pts prepaid hotels
Top rate
None
Foreign fee
N/A
Rating

Current Welcome Offer

100,000 points

Spend $8,000 in 180 days

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Card Offers

public

100,000 points

Verified

Spend $8,000 in 180 days

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Earning Rates

Prepaid hotels
5xpoints

Booked through AmexTravel.com or Amex Travel App™.

Restaurants worldwide
4xpoints

On up to $50K in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points.

U.S. supermarkets
4xpoints

On up to $25K in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.

Flights
3xpoints

Booked through AmexTravel.com or Amex Travel App™ or directly through airlines.

Prepaid car rentals and cruises
2xpoints

Prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or Amex Travel App™ and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.

All other eligible purchases
1xpoints

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Earns 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets, making it one of the stronger earners in these categories among premium cards.
  • Up to $240 in combined annual credits ($120 dining + $120 Uber Cash) can offset a significant portion of the $325 annual fee.
  • Access to 20+ Membership Rewards transfer partners, often at a 1:1 ratio, enables high-value point redemptions for flights and hotels.
  • No foreign transaction fees makes it a practical option for international travel.
  • Solid welcome offer of 60,000 points (valued at approximately $1,200) after meeting the spend requirement.

Cons

  • The $325 annual fee is substantial and requires active use of the monthly credits to justify the cost.
  • The $120 dining credit and $120 Uber Cash are issued in $10 monthly increments that expire if unused, which can be easy to miss.
  • The 4x supermarket earning rate is capped at $25,000 in annual purchases, after which it drops to 1x.
  • Car rental and trip delay insurance are secondary or limited in scope, which may not satisfy travelers seeking more comprehensive coverage.
  • Amex acceptance can be lower than Visa or Mastercard in some international markets, which may limit usability abroad.

Key Takeaways

  • Earns 4x points at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets, and 3x on flights booked directly with airlines or amextravel.com.
  • Up to $240 in annual statement credits ($120 dining, $120 Uber Cash) are split into $10 monthly increments and do not roll over.
  • The $325 annual fee is most justified when cardmembers consistently use both monthly credit benefits.
  • Membership Rewards points transfer to 20+ partners at typically 1:1 ratios, offering strong redemption flexibility.
  • A 60,000-point welcome bonus is available after spending $6,000 in the first 6 months.

Fees

Fee TypeAmount
Annual Fee$325
Foreign Transaction Fee0%

APR Information

Purchase APR
19.49% - 28.49%

APRs shown are variable and may change based on the Prime Rate. Your actual APR will be determined based on your creditworthiness.

Card Benefits

16 benefits (3 strong or better)

Travel Insurance

Travel Access & Perks

Travel Credits

Elite Status

Purchase Protection

Statement Credits

Lifestyle Benefits

Coverage Tier Legend

Best in ClassIndustry-leading coverage
StrongAbove average
StandardTypical coverage
LimitedBelow average

Hidden Gems

Amex Offers for Extra Savings

Through the online account or Amex app, cardmembers can access targeted statement credit and cash back offers at select merchants. These offers can stack with the card's standard rewards, providing meaningful additional savings that many cardholders overlook.

Baggage Insurance on Carry-On Items

The Baggage Insurance Plan covers carry-on baggage up to $1,250 for loss, damage, or theft when the full fare is charged to the card. This carry-on limit is notably higher than the $500 checked bag limit and is a benefit many travelers do not realize they have.

Purchase Protection for 90 Days

New eligible purchases are protected against accidental damage and theft for 90 days from the purchase date, up to $1,000 per occurrence. This coverage applies automatically and can serve as a meaningful safety net for electronics and other higher-value items.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the annual fee for the American Express Gold Card?
The American Express Gold Card carries a $325 annual fee. The fee is not waived for the first year. There are no foreign transaction fees on purchases made outside the U.S.
What is the current welcome offer for the Amex Gold Card?
New cardmembers can earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 on eligible purchases within the first 6 months of card membership. This bonus is estimated to be worth approximately $1,200 in redemption value.
How does the $120 dining statement credit work?
The dining credit is issued in $10 monthly increments when you use your Gold Card at eligible partners, which include Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment is required, and unused monthly credits do not roll over to the next month.
How does the $120 Uber Cash benefit work?
$10 in Uber Cash is added to your Uber account each month, for a total of up to $120 annually. You must link your Gold Card to your Uber account for the credit to apply. Credits are valid for Uber Eats orders and Uber rides in the U.S. and expire at the end of each month if unused.
What rewards does the Amex Gold Card earn at U.S. supermarkets?
The card earns 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year. After reaching the $25,000 cap, the earning rate drops to 1x points for the remainder of the year.
Can I transfer Membership Rewards points to airline and hotel programs?
Yes, Membership Rewards points can be transferred to more than 20 airline and hotel loyalty programs, typically at a 1:1 ratio. Notable airline partners include Delta SkyMiles, British Airways Avios, Air Canada Aeroplan, and Singapore KrisFlyer. Hotel partners include Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors. Transfers are generally irreversible, so research redemption values before transferring.
Does the Amex Gold Card offer travel insurance benefits?
Yes, the card includes trip delay insurance, baggage insurance, and car rental loss and damage insurance. Baggage coverage goes up to $1,250 for carry-on and $500 for checked bags when the full fare is charged to the card. Car rental coverage is secondary, meaning personal auto insurance pays first.
What credit score is needed to qualify for the Amex Gold Card?
American Express generally targets applicants with good credit for this card. Meeting the credit score threshold does not guarantee approval, as American Express considers additional factors such as income and existing credit relationships.
Does the Amex Gold Card charge foreign transaction fees?
No, the American Express Gold Card has no foreign transaction fees. However, dynamic currency conversion fees charged by foreign merchants are separate and are not waived by this benefit.
What purchase protections come with the Amex Gold Card?
The card includes Purchase Protection, which covers new eligible purchases against accidental damage or theft for up to 90 days, up to $1,000 per occurrence and $50,000 per year. It also offers an Extended Warranty benefit that adds up to one additional year to the manufacturer's warranty on eligible items with an original warranty of 5 years or less.

About This Card

The American Express Gold Card is best for frequent diners and grocery shoppers who can realistically use the monthly dining and Uber Cash credits each month. It is also well suited for travelers who want flexible point transfers to airline partners and who book flights directly with airlines or through amextravel.com.

American Express® Gold Card with Membership Rewards® points, dining and grocery bonus categories, travel earning through Amex Travel, statement credits, travel protections, shopping protections, and no foreign transaction fees.

The Amex Gold Card's combination of 4x points at both restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets in a single card, paired with up to $240 in annual credits, gives it a stronger dining and grocery earning profile than most competing premium travel cards at a similar price point.

Ready to Decide?

Apply for the American Express® Gold Card

100,000 points with a $325 annual fee.

Spend $8,000 in 180 days

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Rewards program

Membership Rewards

Earns Points

Card Categories

DiningGroceriesTravelTransferable pointsNo Foreign Transaction Fee

Sources & Methodology

Data Collection

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  • 16 of 16 benefits rated high confidence
  • 1 of 1 offer verified
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